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12/08/2015
NIHRC Condemns Paramilitary Attacks Against Children
The Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has condemned the ongoing attacks by paramilitary organisations and is urging the UK Government and the NI Executive to take 'immediate and effective action' to address the issue of paramilitary attacks against children.
On International Youth Day, the Human Rights Commission has published its report to the United Nations Committee ahead of the upcoming examination by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, commented: "This report provides us with an invaluable opportunity to shine a spotlight on young people's rights.
"The Commission has highlighted a number of recommendations made by the United Nations in 2008 that have not yet been implemented and therefore require urgent action.
"These include raising the age of criminal responsibility, ending corporal punishment and reducing the use of remand for children in the criminal justice system."
The Commission has advised that the UN Committee should ask the UK Government, including the NI Executive, to:
• Take immediate action to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 12 years of age
• Ban smacking of children without delay
• End Academic Selection – The UN Committee called for academic selection to be abolished in 2008 and despite the end of the 11+, the current system of testing has allowed a 'two-tier culture' to remain.
Mr Allamby continued: "The purpose of this report is to highlight what areas we believe the United Nations Committee should focus on as it prepares to examine the UK Governments human rights record.
"We want to make sure Northern Ireland's circumstances are at the forefront of this process. Human Rights belong to our children and young people. It is important that they are adequately protected."
(CD/JP)
On International Youth Day, the Human Rights Commission has published its report to the United Nations Committee ahead of the upcoming examination by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, commented: "This report provides us with an invaluable opportunity to shine a spotlight on young people's rights.
"The Commission has highlighted a number of recommendations made by the United Nations in 2008 that have not yet been implemented and therefore require urgent action.
"These include raising the age of criminal responsibility, ending corporal punishment and reducing the use of remand for children in the criminal justice system."
The Commission has advised that the UN Committee should ask the UK Government, including the NI Executive, to:
• Take immediate action to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 12 years of age
• Ban smacking of children without delay
• End Academic Selection – The UN Committee called for academic selection to be abolished in 2008 and despite the end of the 11+, the current system of testing has allowed a 'two-tier culture' to remain.
Mr Allamby continued: "The purpose of this report is to highlight what areas we believe the United Nations Committee should focus on as it prepares to examine the UK Governments human rights record.
"We want to make sure Northern Ireland's circumstances are at the forefront of this process. Human Rights belong to our children and young people. It is important that they are adequately protected."
(CD/JP)
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The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
Queen’s to debate future of Human Rights Commissions
The future of Human Rights Commissions in the UK and Ireland will be examined at Queen's University Belfast this week. The Human Rights Centre at the Queen's School of Law, in co-operation with the Faculty of Law, University of Bristol, will hold a half-day conference in Belfast on Friday on the role of both Commissions.
20 October 2005
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
Human rights central to citizenship - Minister
Human rights are central to citizenship and have an important role to play in moving Northern Ireland towards an equal, just and peaceful future. That was the message from Education Minister, Angela Smith, at today's cross-border conference on Human Rights Education in Dublin.
08 July 2003
Human Rights Commission rocked by third resignation
Patrick Yu has become the third member of the Human Rights Commission in Northern Ireland to resign during the past twelve months. Handing in his resignation on Monday, Mr Yu said he felt his position on the board had become untenable due to the commission's approach to human rights and issues of equality.
Human Rights Commission rocked by third resignation
Patrick Yu has become the third member of the Human Rights Commission in Northern Ireland to resign during the past twelve months. Handing in his resignation on Monday, Mr Yu said he felt his position on the board had become untenable due to the commission's approach to human rights and issues of equality.
03 July 2003
UN convention on disability welcomed
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has welcomed the decision taken by a United Nations Ad Hoc Committee to proceed with a new policy of the rights of disabled people.
UN convention on disability welcomed
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Provisional Bill of Rights is unveiled
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has published its provisional proposals for what should be contained in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
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